15 men charged in scheme stealing tractor-trailers and selling their contents in Peel Region, GTA

On July 19th, Peel Region Police released information on dozens of charges laid as part of “Project BigRig,” a scheme which involved a gang of men who stole tractor-trailers and sold their contents.

In March, a joint task force was formed to investigate a prolific series of tractor trailer and cargo thefts in Peel and across the Greater Toronto Area. The investigation dubbed Project Big Rig resulted in the disruption of the criminal ring and led to the arrests of several individuals responsible for theft of tractor trailers and cargo. The investigation also led to awareness for a number of unsuspecting customers who were buying stolen products.

Project Big Rig resulted in:

• Total of 15 arrests with 73 charges laid.
• Recovery of $6,990,000.00 of stolen cargo.
• Recovery of $2,250,000.00 in value of stolen tractor trailers.
  • Total value of $9,240,000.00 in property recovered.

“Cargo and auto theft is not a victimless crime. It hurts people, inflicts financial harm and often leads to the funding of other criminal activity,” said Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich. “Project Big Rig is an example of our efforts to hold the individuals accountable who victimize our communities and residents. Let this be a reminder to all the criminal networks that we will continue to disrupt criminality of any kind.” 

This investigation was made possible through the funding provided by the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO), and in collaboration with Halton Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Équité Association and the Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC.)

An estimated $1.8 billion worth of goods travel through the Region of Peel every day, making it the largest cargo hub in Canada. PRP, alongside partnering agencies, continues to invest and enhance measures to disrupt cargo and auto theft. We will continue to diligently investigate, arrest and lay charges against those responsible for theft of vehicles, cargo and any other criminal activity.

PRP has arrested and charged the following 15 individuals in through Project Big Rig:  

Balkar Singh, 42-years old, is charged with the following offences:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

Ajay Ajay, 26-years old, is charged with the following offences: 

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

Manjeet Padda, 40-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

Jagjeevan Singh, 25-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (x2)
• Breach of Recognizance (x2)

Amandeep Baidwan, 41-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (x4)
• Fail to Comply with Release Order
• Breach of Probation

Karamshand Singh, 58-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Trafficking in Stolen Goods

Jasvinder Atwal, 45-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Fail to Comply with Release Order (x2)
• Operation While Prohibited

Lakhvir Singh, 45-years old, is charged with the following offences:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Mischief Over $5000

Jagpal Singh, 34-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Break, Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence (x2)
• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Theft Over $5000

Upkaran Sandhu, 31-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Break, Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

Sukhvinder Singh, 44-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (x2)
• Fail to Comply with Undertaking (x2)

Kulvir Bains, 39-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Theft of Motor Vehicle (x3)
• Theft Over $5000 (x3)

Banishidar Lalsaran, 39-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Theft of Motor Vehicle (x2)

Shobit Verma, 23-years old, is charged with the following offences:  

• Theft of Motor Vehicle

Sukhninder Dhillon, 34-years old, is charged with the following offences:

• Break and Enter Commit an Indictable Offence
• Theft of Motor Vehicle (x4)
• Theft Over $5000 (x4)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Theft of Mail
• Operation while Prohibited (x2)
• Fail to Comply with Release Order